Benicio Del Toro is joining Marvel for a major role in Guardians of the Galaxy and future films

After months of waiting for casting to begin on GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY we have gotten a slew of announcements over the past week including news of Glenn Close, Karen Gillan, and John C. Reilly joining the superhero squad that already features Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Lee Pace, Michael Rooker, and Dave Bautista. But, in what may be the biggest signing of all is news that Benicio Del Toro will be joining James Gunn‘s intergalactic superhero movie as well.

According to Deadline, Del Toro is not just signed for GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY but an option for multiple future Marvel movies. Whether this means a hero part, a villain, or potentially a character to tie franchises together like Samuel L. Jackson‘s Nick Fury remains to be seen. What it does guarantee is yet another incredibly talented actor will grace the world of Marvel’s Cinematic Universe.

Benicio Del Toro is one hell of an actor. Even in the disappointing THE WOLFMAN he brought an intensity and hammy approach that would work well in the superhero genre. Del Toro was originally purused to play the Benedict Cumberbatch role in STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS which would have been his biggest profile film in years. His last starring role was THE WOLFMAN in 2010 and has since worked with Oliver Stone in SAVAGES and will appear in Paul Thomas Anderson’s INHERENT VICE.

Now, the speculation will begin. Cinema Blend believes Del Toro could be playing either Doctor Strange or Thanos, both characters I would be happy to have cast by this Academy Award winner. Now, will his identity be kept a secret until the release of the film?

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY opens everywhere on August 1, 2014.